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SALT LAKE CITY — Markings on a military-issue gas mask led investigators to an airman stationed at Hill Air Force Base suspected of helping set fire to a Salt Lake City police car during a violent protest over the death of George Floyd in May.
The FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Larry Raynold Williams Jr., 22, at his West Haven home Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Hill assisted the FBI.
Williams, an airman first class, is charged with using fire and explosives to damage and destroy the overturned patrol car during a May 30 riot in downtown Salt Lake City. He is the fifth person facing federal arson charges in the case.
Video footage shows a man authorities identified as Christopher Isidro Rojas standing next to a Black man dressed in a black Nike hoodie, black Nike sweatpants, black shoes and a black gas mask, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court. Investigators say the man in the gas mask is Williams.
Rojas is seen in the video holding a blue cigarette lighter in his hands while Williams held a white combustible fabric material, similar to a tablecloth or bedsheet, according to the complaint. Investigators say Rojas used the cigarette lighter to ignite the fabric.
Once it started to burn, Williams threw the material into the window of the car, the complaint alleges. The burning material landed partially inside the car and partially on the street.
Investigators later identified the gas mask as an M50 joint service general protective mask. Clarified photographs of Williams wearing the mask revealed lettering on its attached M61 filter canister, written in what appeared to be white marker, reading, “TRNG ONLY.” A lot number was also observed on the canister, according to the complaint.
Williams was issued an M50 gas mask by his unit for training purposes in March 2020.
Last Thursday, the readiness squadron at HAFB conducted a general inventory check of equipment issued to Williams and other members of his group during an exercise. According to the complaint, serial or lot numbers were documented for each inventoried item. Investigators say the lot number for one of the gas canisters assigned to Williams was identical to the number on the gas mask as appearing in pictures taken at the riot.
Williams was also seen unmasked at the riot and police were able to use several photographs to identify him, investigators say.
U.S. Attorney John Huber said investigators and prosecutors have conducted a “determined” investigation to find those responsible for burning the police car.
“Our intent has been to bring consequence to the lawlessness that we witnessed,” he said in a statement. “While available video and photographs played a prominent role in the investigation, solid investigative efforts by agents and detectives made the difference in these arrests.”
Williams is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court on Thursday.
Federal arson charges in the case are also pending against Rojas, Jackson Stuart Tamowski Patton, Latroi Devon Newbins, and Lateesha Richards, all of Salt Lake City.
